Sometimes it rains in Southern California. It doesn’t happen all that often so we’re often caught off-guard and total unprepared for even the slightest shower. Don’t let the rain put a damper on your day! I’ve been to Disneyland during a few heavy downpours and will share my insider tips for surviving a Disneyland rainy day.

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Check out my Top 10 Tips for Surviving a Disneyland Rainy Day!

Check the Forecast

Should you bring extra sunscreen or a poncho? Always best to know ahead of time by checking the weather forecast for Anaheim before your trip. Keep in mind that when it rains in Southern California, it’s usually accompanied by cooler weather which might be the opposite of what you’re used to if you frequent Walt Disney World.

Be Prepared

Bring what you need for a rainy day in the Park and don’t rely on purchasing there. Rain parkas are available but the price will be at a premium and you can buy them ahead of time.

Disney Kids’ Mickey and Minnie Mouse Poncho Set
Umbrellas are iffy. They are hard to wield in a crowd and might poke someone. I brought an umbrella to Disneyland once and it turned inside out during a gust of wind! However Southern Californians tend to be more of the umbrella-carrying type than the poncho-wearing type.

Wear sensible shoes like rain boots or sneakers that have been treated with Scotchguard. I also recommend that you purchase your Park tickets ahead of time from Park Savers. You’ll save a few dollars off the cost as well as save yourself from standing in the rain to buy tickets at the gate.

Lock Up ‘Yer Valuables

If you don’t want it wet, put it in a locker for the day. Or use gallon-sized plastic zip bags for precious cargo like your wallet and cell phone.

An Extra Set of Clothes

At the end of the day, you’ll be glad you brought extra clothes. I always seem to get the hem of my pants soaking wet on a rainy day and a dry pair is so nice put on! Bring a few extra pairs of socks too.

Seek Shelter and People-Watch

When all else fails and the rain is relentless, find a covered area. There are some outside areas with overhanging porches. I particularly like sitting in front of The Golden Horseshoe on a bench to watch the rain fall on the Rivers of America. And of course, to watch the tourists in flip-flops scurrying through the rain!

Eat Indoors & Dine Leisurely

Many of the restaurants around Disneyland offer both outdoor or indoor dining. On a rainy day skip the patio and go inside for your meals. I recall a particularly soggy day when my son and I sought respite inside Cafe Orleans and it was great to sit inside. By the time we got to the dessert beignets my coat was dry.

With rain in your forecast, this is a perfect time to get an Advanced Dining Reservation for a Character Meal (like Ariel’s Grotto, Minnie’s Breakfast in the Park or Goofy’s Kitchen) and take your time eating and getting autographs and photos.

Shop

Slowly walking through the shops while you wait for the clouds to clear is a fun pastime. Emporium, Elias & Co. and World of Disney are loaded with goodies. Or stop in at the Mad Hatter to see which chapeau works for you!

Watch a Show

Rain or shine, taking in the entertainment at Disneyland is always a great choice. Little ones would love the Disney Jr – Live on Stage! show. The show Frozen: Live on Stage at the Hyperion takes place at Disney California Adventure Park and that soaks up about an hour of time.

Ride Inside

Some of the outside rides close down during a downpour but there is still plenty that remains open. If the Park isn’t particularly busy, ask if you can ride multiple times without getting out of your seat. We’ve taken on Zurg over and over inside Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters on a rainy day!

Fireside at the Grand Californian

A quick walk through Downtown Disney and you can enjoy the lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa. Get a drink at the lobby Hearthstone Lounge and warm up by the fireplace. At certain times, live piano music is played.

Retreat to your Hotel

So despite the good efforts, you’re soaked through? Time to retreat and head back to the hotel and wait out the storm. Take a hot shower, change your clothes and consider returning to the Parks later in the day.

Ahhh, take off your wet clothes and slip on a nice warm robe.

DOWNFALL OF A DISNEY DOWNPOUR

Outdoor shows may be cancelled.

Some outdoor rides closed during rain.

Harder to take photographs.

Parade is abbreviated or cancelled outright.

The biggest benefit to a rainy day at Disneyland is that crowds are considerably thinned out. With certain attractions rained-out you’ll also have the ability to think outside the box and experience things you might not have otherwise!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Magical Mickey Tips.

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You’re probably pretty safe from rain in July, Mike! We generally only get one or two days in the entire summer where it rains, so hopefully one of those days won’t be on your vacation 🙂 Can’t wait to hear about your trip for the 60th celebration!

We’ve never been to Disneyland so there are great tips for us to know. We usually visit WDW in the summer so we’re always prepared for the daily afternoon rain. Now we’ll be prepared should we ever venture out west.

We’ve thus far dodged all rain when traveling to Disneyland with kids. I’m sure we had rain once in awhile during our pre-kid travel days, but isn’t so much of a hassle with two 20-something adults. Where we did have crazy rain was Hong Kong Disneyland – it’s semi-tropical and thunderstorms would just come out of nowhere. We bought lots of cool Hong Kong Disneyland umbrellas at least – they have been great souvenirs!

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

[…] Other than possible rain showers, March is a pretty good month to visit. However, keep in mind that many schools celebrate their Spring Breaks starting in March so especially late in the month, the park crowds may increase. Even with the rain, you can still have a great Disneyland vacation. Check out my 10 Tips for Surviving a Disneyland Rainy Day. […]